Flickin' the 'Busa

[Big O]

Recently we've had a lot of new members ask how the bike performs in the twisties.  While we all know that the 'Busa is not as "flickable" as an R1 for instance, but some of us live for the twisties.

The question is:  What techniques do you guys have for getting that little extra out of your bike in the twisties?

As for me I'm not a knee-dragger, and I'm happy with just being able to scrape a toe once in a while.  I'm just starting to "hang off" a little and I found this helps a lot.  I also keep the rpms a little lower (around 5k) and when I exit a turn I roll on the throttle which straightens up the bike and then let off and get on the front brake a little and countersteer the other way which sends me over into the next turn.  Done quickly, I can get it from a sharp right, up and over into a sharp left real quick. Thoughts?

 

[rccola]

I like the twisties also. I discovered the busa has so much momentum into the turn i usually have to  downshift to a lower gear than a liter bike or less. I use basic techniques, look, plan and execute. I use the rear break  and downshift to control speed. Do not spend too much time on the rear break or your backend will fishtail. I countersteer into the turn with a lean. At this point you have to know the quality and stickiness of your tires. you can get your knee down but your line has to be right. Throttle control is key at the apex of the twistie and exiting into the straight or you will be a sad puppy. The power delivery to the rear wheel is awesome. Once I am out of the apex look out. Hence, this is why super v twins corner better than in-line fours. I think the most inportant point is speed control upon entering a corner. I am not an expert but this method works for me

 

[cache]

leaning the busa over is one of the best feelings a guy can have on two wheels with only mechanical assistance...

for me, with the brake pads I have, come into the turn almost completely vertical hitting the brakes hard enough to skip if not smooth enough on the pads, hang and let her do the rest. just too natural for me to explain.

Last week(before the broken toe that I take way out of proportion) there is a tight turn above where I live, a good 55mph tighty that sweeps a good 140 degrees... anyhoo... a mailbox at the end of a driveway on the inside of the turn is my target for missing due to its extension. Needless to say last time I whooshed by, a little old lady was checking her mail. Skared the sheet out of me just as much as it did her. I got the hell out of that area quick before she had a chance to make it up her driveway to a phone. I know for a fact the slipstream was enough to knock her off her balance. woah.

 

[jwcfbd]

leaning the busa over is one of the best feelings a guy can have on two wheels with only mechanical assistance...

for me, with the brake pads I have, come into the turn almost completely vertical hitting the brakes hard enough to skip if not smooth enough on the pads, hang and let her do the rest. just too natural for me to explain.

Last week(before the broken toe that I take way out of proportion) there is a tight turn above where I live, a good 55mph tighty that sweeps a good 140 degrees... anyhoo... a mailbox at the end of a driveway on the inside of the turn is my target for missing due to its extension. Needless to say last time I whooshed by, a little old lady was checking her mail. Skared the sheet out of me just as much as it did her. I got the hell out of that area quick before she had a chance to make it up her driveway to a phone. I know for a fact the slipstream was enough to knock her off her balance. woah.

You don't make it a habit of scarring little old ladies do you?

 

[mikeyusf]

I do all my breaking before I enter the turn. Once I start to lean, it's all throttle control. I've noticed that a little countersteer combined with hanging a cheek off the seat, and getting my helmet out with my side mirror allows me to really get some speed and control going through the turns. I usually try to keep the bike somewhere around 6000rpms going through the turns, and I point my chin and look through the turn.

To sum up, I hang my body and head off the bike, then pull the bike down. I keep consistent throttle until the apex, and get on it coming out of the turn.

to flick the bike, you need to be using your footpegs to shift your weight. If you are waiting on your hips to slide your ass across the seat, it's going to take too long. Use your feet to shift your weight, not your hips. I think you'll notice how much faster you can flick the bike once you use your feet a little more

Mike

 

[Big O]

to flick the bike, you need to be using your footpegs to shift your weight. If you are waiting on your hips to slide your ass across the seat, it's going to take too long. Use your feet to shift your weight, not your hips. I think you'll notice how much faster you can flick the bike once you use your feet a little more

Mike

My leather pants don't like to slide across the seat, so I have to lift my butt off the seat a little. Sometimes the bike becomes unsettled (wiggles) until I put my weight back down on the seat.

I will try using the footpegs tip though.

This will take some practice.

 

[Kento-Moto]

I like hanging off just a little, no way am I even close to dragging anything yet though!

I dont use my brakes much, maybe this is a bad habit. I rev downshift - then lean & counter steer. Usually dont carry much RPM's ( about 5-7K ) I worry about braking the rear loose. I say straight is boring!

 

[discreet007]

I say straight is boring!  

I agree. Too many mountains around here

 

[un4gvn]

IF I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU ONE PIECE OF ADVICE IT WOULD BE TO CHECK AIR PRESSURE AND WARM UP TIRES BEFORE ANY SERIOUS LEANING BEGINS,
THE BUSA IS SO STABLE IT WILL DRAG BODY PARTS BEFORE YOU CAN UPSET IT,(WITH CONSTANT THROTTLE)
AND I LIKE TO SPIN THE TIRE UP COMING OUT OF CORNERS
GET THAT A@# TO COME AROUND QUICKER. IF YOU DONT WANT IT TO SPIN RUN HIGHER GEARS,YOU WILL PROBABLY MAKE BETTER TIME THAN FOOLIN AROUND ANYWAY.
READ KEITH CODES "TWIST OF THE WRIST" ONE AND TWO

 

[Racer 222]

I also recommend Twist of the Wrist. Great books! I recommend that your body be in position and that your braking be done before entering the corner. ie have your entrance speed set so all you have to do is roll on the throttle.

Tire pressure is very important and all the other statements that I have read are right on the money as well.

Marc "Howlin Mad"

 

[Big O]

I let my tires get a little low (10lbs) and it was harder to flick, and the tires showed wear, fast. Filled up the tires and Wow! what a difference.

 

[Narcissus]

One tip that makes a huge difference is to shift your weight forward. It becomes much easier to turn and digs into curves much better. Do be careful with quick, numerous switchbacks, though, especially if the speed drops too low. An unrecoverable tank slap may result. So keep the clutch covered when practicing (don't ask me how I know this

).

 

[un4gvn]

HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS

?

 

[busahigg]

I too love the curves. I just put a Pilot Road on the back and it's a bit skinny for the Busa (looks anyways). It's 1/4 inch wider than a 180 Pilot Race. It made a big difference in my transitions. The bike falls much faster and harder. I also feel like i can "go in" a little more hot than usual.

Hanging, head position, throttle control, braking before entering(to get the front end to settle first, but just a hair) are all good tips but I am fairly inexperienced with the technical aspect of cornering. I have read, and watched a lot of riders and picked up a number of tips from racers around here and I've found every little bit helps.

Be safe out there......

 

[Narcissus]

HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS

?

Let's just say that my bike would still have a crappy all-black paint job without that new found knowledge.

Oh, and make your steering dampers are functioning and have not lost fluid or have air in the lines. Filling them with heavier weight fluid is recommended (don't ask me how I know that, either...

).

 

[cache]

could it have been a 140mph tank-slapper??

I had one of those...... one. the heck with that!. changed tire pressures right away... also it was before I lowered it a bit. Have not had that prob since.

 

[Big O]

Better already, I took Mikey's tip about using the footpegs, and Narcissus' tip about leaning forward (I forgot about that one) and did much better.

The road I was on is wavy, so the bike pitches fore and aft, sometimes quickly depending on the speed. Feels really weird when you're leaned over in a turn! Leaning forward and putting the weight on the footpegs lets the bike do the work, and I'm not fighting to control her so much.

 

[MET]

 

[sven]

well I have been wearing out my knee sliders and sliding both tires on the racetrack an on some roads here in europe for years now. Everyone has different styles.  But the busa will work if you understand it.

Here are some fundementals.

1. the road surface must have good temperature and adhesion characteristics.

2. your tires MUST  be in top condition (pressure, minimal tread block wear, freshly scrubbed in, tire bead set with the rim at least a couple days)
...... and THOROUGHLY  warmed up  ( at least 15 min of spirited riding/cornering to warm up) before knee sliding action.
I recommend Dunlops (specifically for the Busa)which stick or Bridgestone ( specifically for the Busa) which slide a little, but these two tire companies make tires specifically for the Busa heavy weight, high horsepower, and high speed.
3. suspension should be pliable, but not too soft.

4. you need too be aware of the power delivery/state of tune on your Busa, when applying power. (and also aware of the effects of braking mid corner, which is not good)


5.The Busa works best when you brake early and get the bike's weight shifted and settled as you enter the corner on steady throttle.

Like many sportbikes, the Busa is designed to work best when you apply the throttle. Applying brakes mid corner is dangerous unless you are very experienced and know how to keep the load balance on the tires.

get that wieght shifted as you enter the corner. The busa hunkers down as the suspension loads (you might feel it working) you will feel and maybe even hear those tires gripping as you apply steady/ slowly increasing throttle as you lean the bike.

when you have good feedback, and you see the end of the corner, just hang off a bit, stick your knee out generously , apply smooth throttle and just lean the Busa all the way down until your knee hits the ground.

don't try to keep the horizon  horizontal, you will never lean for enough if you do.

when you start dragging/sliding you knees you will notice how close your head is to the road and you will be able to observe the grain of the road. You will hear the motor a little more too.

(if you did it right) you will notice how stable and rock solid the Busa is, and you will see how well the Busa is designed to be ridden that way. The bike's weight becomes an asset. And it is so balanced and planted I have spent whole days at those angles ( and sliding both tires on occaission/ part of my riding style).

The Busa is no R-1 , or Ducati. It is not designed to be like them.  The Busa is made for big, smooth , long, fast roads with medium to very long wide sweepers/corners In that setting, the Busa blows everything away.

 

[Big O]

Excellent Sven!
I have seen video of the 'Busa sliding both wheels around corners, (can't remeber the name of the video).

I got out yesterday and got "hooked up" with the bike leaned well over left and right. You CAN feel the bike settle and the suspension compress as you brake and then keep the throttle constant as you go through the curves. I have new Metzler M1 Sportecs and they held the lines very well.